Fluid pressure device



April 27,1943. G. R. ERICSON 2,317,594

h FLUID PRESSURE DEVICES Original Filed July 6, 1937 2 SheetS Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 65086.5 5? ie/csa/v BY W ATTORNEY.

April 27, 1943.

G. R. ERlcsoN FLUID PRESSURE DEVICES Original Filed July 6, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 27, 1943 FLUID PRESSURE DEVICE George R. Ericson, Kirkwood, Mo., assi'gnor to Carter Carburetor Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Substituted for abandoned application Serial No. 152,199, July 6, 1937. This application October 24, 1939, Serial No. 301,009

11 Claims.

This application is a substitute for my previously filed application, Serial No. 152,199, filed July 6, 1937, the disclosure of the two cases being identical.

This invention relates to improvementsin automobiles and more particularly to improvements in engine driven systems for operating such accessories as windshield wipers and fuel pumps. These two accessories have given designers considerable difliculty, due to the fact that while they are not required to be operated at high speed, it is highly desirable that they should be driven at a fairly constant speed. This result is particularly difficult to obtain on account of the fact that the engine is operated at widely varying speeds and under substantially varying conditions of throttle opening and manifold suction.

For instance, windshield wipers which have ordinarily been driven by manifold suction, may go out of operation altogether when the engine is operated under a substantial load with the throttle in wide. open position, when there is not enough manifold suction to operate the wiper.

Vacuum operated fuel supply devices have been generally discarded due to the uncertainty of manifold vacuum and engine-driven fuel pumps are now in general use in place of the older vacuum tank constructions. The engine-driven fuel pump is, however, unsatisfactory under certain conditions, because it requires the fuel line to be brought close to the hot engine, thereby involving a difficulty known as vapor lock which is well understood by those skilled in the art and requires no further discussion here.

The object of my invention is to provide means for operating a windshield wiper and a fuel pump at a substantially uniform speed regardless of changes in the speed of the engine and the load applied thereto.

I obtain these objects by means of a novel pulsating pressure producer which may be operated electrically or by connection with a moving part of the engine. The pulsator is connected to the operated device or devices by a fluid conduit which may contain a gas or a liquid. Where a gas is used as the transmission medium, a pulsator of large capacity may be required, while the use of liquid for this purpose requires the use of diaphragms or other segregating means to insure the retention of the liquid in the system.

The invention will be better understood upon reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a pulsa tor embodying a form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation, parts being sectioned, showing a pressure operated system embodying the invention and as applied to an automobile,

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a system embodying another form of the invention.

The reference numeral l indicates a portion of the crank case of an internal combustion engine having a conventional cam shaft 2 which, in the present construction, rotates in a clockwise direction. The pulsator comprises a body member 3, conveniently die cast, which is bolted or otherwise detachably connected to the crank case I over an opening 4 therein through which the operating mechanism extends. Body member 3 is provided with a hand hole which is closed by a cover 5 held in position by screws 6. A cylinder 1 is preferably formed integrally with the body member 3 and is fitted with a piston 8. The pis ton is urged downwardly by a coiled spring 9. This spring is formed of fiat wire, as shown, in order to get the greatest possible number of turns in the space available so that the spring pressure on the piston will not drop too sharply as the piston is moved downwardly. When the piston is at the lower. end of its stroke, the spring is still under substantial compression, suflicient to give approximately five (5) pounds per square inch pressure at the end of its stroke. The spring, when in its completely expanded position, as when taken completely out of the mechanism, preferably has a length at least double the length to which it must be compressed when in its most expanded position in the mechanism. With this arrangement, the pressure at the top of the stroke of the piston will be substantially less than double the pressure at the bottom of the stroke.

The lower end of cylinder 1 is provided with an outlet nipple I 0, screw threaded to receive a conventional pipe fitting and provided with an accurately centered opening I l to receive a plunger or pilot l2 carried by the piston. The function of this plunger is to enter and substantially close passage l I when piston 8 approaches the bottom of its stroke and also to operate the relief valve I3 which is carried in the fitting I4 threadedly attached to the nipple l0. Valve [3 isyieldingly held in closed position by a spring l5. Fitting I4 is suitably arranged at l6 for attachment of branched conduit leading to the operated accessories.

In order to insure the relief of any suction in cylinder 1 before the compression stroke of the other and hooked under lever 2| at the top or its stroke. This port communicates with atmosphere through a fllter |3 which is provided with screens as indicated. This filter not only serves to exclude sand and other foreign matter, but also serves to silence any popping sound which might otherwise occur when the pispivot pin 25 which is held in place by a washer and cotter pin 23. A plurality of grip members 23 and 24 may be provided, if desired, which may be formed of slightly flexible sheet metal, stamped as shown and alternately mounted on pin 25 so as to form a laminated stack. The clutch mechanism is lubricated by the oil spray in the crankcase.

The end of member 23 opposite pin 23 has an apertured boss 230 secured to a projecting finger 2|a on lever 2| by a pin 21. The bifurcation of lever 2| is also pivotally connected to 'apertured boss 24a in gripping member 24 by a pin 23. A coiled spring 23 is wound around pin 21 and has one end hooked under gripping member 23 and This spring is constantly in tension so as to bias lever 2| in a clockwise direction relative to pin 21 and to bias member 23 in the opposite direction.

Body member 3 carries a projection 33 to which pressure translating device 51 which consists of a chambered body member 53 having inlet and outlet check valves 53 and 33, respectively. The inlet check valve, in the present case, is held in closed position merely by its own weight, while the outlet check valve is lightly held in closed position by a small spring 3!. The upper part of chamber .53 is closed by a plug 32 which is provided with suitable pipe flttings for connection to fluid pressure branch 53. The inlet passageway 33 is connected to the fuel tank 34 by means of the conduit 35. Device 51 is preferably mounted in or adjacent the fuel tank 34, but it may be mounted on the carburetor itself, or at a point on the chassis of the vehicle near the engine, but, preferably not under the hood-at least in engines where a great deal of heat is developed at are attached a pair of brackets, one of which is shown at 3|. These brackets are inturned at their upper ends, as at 32, to form cam elements or stops for engaging rollers 33 mounted on the bifurcations of lever 2|. The positioning of cam elements 32 is such that when lever 2| is being carried clockwise around the cam shaft, contact of rollers 33 with the cam elements will cause lever 2| to be rotated in a clockwise-direction about theserollers in a manner to urge gripping members 23 and 24 apart and releasethe cam shaft.

In order to produce a slight pause in the action of piston 3 at the top of its stroke and prior to the compression stroke, connecting rod I3 is provided with a. notch 34 into which a pin or detent 35 may be dropped. Pin 35 is carried at one end of a double lever 35 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 31 in body member 3. A coiled spring 33 has a pair of projecting arms, one of which contacts the spring seat member 33 and the other of which rests against the bridge member 43 which joints the two sides of double lever 33. A weight 4| is attached to the upper end of double lever 36 by a pin, as indicated at 42.

that point. The outlet passageway 33 of device 51 isconnected t0 the carburetor of the engine.

In operation, with the engine at rest, spring 3 (Fig. 1) holds piston 3 at the lower end of its stroke and pilot I2 contacts the stem of the valve l3, holding it in open position so as to expose conduits 55 and 33 to atmospheric pressure conditions. The lowermost position of piston 3 is determined by engagement of boss 24a and lever extension 2| a with projection 33. In this position of the parts, spring 3 overcomes spring 23 and rotates pin 21 counterclockwise sufliciently relative to pin 23 to cause members 23 and 24 to tightly grip cam shaft 2. Pin 35 is yielding held against rod I3 by spring 33. Clockwise rotation of the cam shaft from this position carries the frictional clutch mechanism upwardly,

, lifting piston 3 and compressing spring 3.

During the first part of the upward movement The windshield wiper motor (Fig. 2) comprises a cylinder 43 receiving reciprocating .piston 44. The windshield 'wiper blade 45 is pivoted at 43 and yieldably urged toward one extreme position by a tension spring 41. A connection rod 43 connects piston 43 and the operating lever 53 of the wiper blade having an apertured boss 43 rigid with the wiper shaft. When it is desired to stop the wiper movement, a lever 5 I, pivoted at 52 and provided with a hook 53, is moved into the path of lever 53 by means of the handle 54. When it is desired to have the windshield wiper operate, lever 5| is turned slightly in an anti-clockwise direction so that the projection 53 is no longer in the path of the projection 53.

Cylinder 43 is connected by means of conduit 55 to the fitting l4, and another branch 55 of its closure by spring I5 and then clears e H so as to expose conduits 55 and 53 to suction produced by the receding piston. During continued upward movement of the piston, a quantity of fuel is drawn into device 51 past inlet check 53 and suction is communicated to windshield wiper cylinder 43. When piston 3 uncovers port H in itsupward movement, suction in cylinder 1 is relieved, and conditions in the fluid system again approach a state of equilibrium. Near the top of the stroke of piston 3, spring 33 forces pin detent 35 into notch 34 and roller 33 strikes cam element 32. A slight additional clockwise rotation of lever 2| about rollers 33 produces clockwise rotation of pin 21 relative to pin 23 which releases the clutch mechanism. Spring 23 then hold the clutch mechanism released to be returned to the initial position at a substantially uniform rate by spring 3. The return or discharge stroke is delayed until pin 35 is forced out of notch 34 due to the superior pressure of spring 3. Preferably the outlet connection 33 in chamber 53 is slightl restricted, as indicated at 31, so that the discharge of'the liquid from this chamber will be sufliciently slow to build up back pressure to open the windshield wiper. The pump discharge through tube. 13 is also restricted or cut oil by the needle valve 33a in inlet 33 and controlled by float 33 in carburetor float bowl 1|.

when windshield wiper piston 44 has reached the end of its outward stroke (Fig. 2) and when no more fuel can be discharged from the chamber 53 due to the action of needle valve 330, pulsator piston 3 is still capable of reaching the end of its stroke by building up compression in the passages 55 and 53 and the chamber 53 due to the compressibility of the fluid therein. Also, there may be some leakage aroundpiston 3.

The entry of pilot l2 into passageway H serves 1 pressure remaining in cylinder 43 and chamber 58. This permits spring 41 to return the wiper blade and piston 44 to the inlet end of cylinder 43. The pressure of spring 55 on relief valve I3 is such that where the engine is using a very small amount of fuel excessive pressure in the system may be relieved through passage II.

The last action of the pressure strok of piston 8 is to again bring boss 28a on member 24 into contact with extension 30 and reengage the clutch mechanism with the cam shaft so as to repeat the cycle.

Fig. 3 shows a form of the invention which may be advantageously utilized where the fiuid connections are of such length that unsatisfactory operation results due to dampening out of the pulsations; In this form, pulsating air pressure from pulsator chamber 1 is applied directly to a flexible diaphragm 12 interposed in tube 55 and secured between hollowed caps "I3 and 14 forming chambers 15 and 16, respectively. Cap members 13 and '14 are provided with suitable pipe fittings for connection into conduit 55. A second diaphragm 11 mounted between hollowed cap members 18 and 19 is inserted in connection 56. Lower cap member 18 carries inlet and outlet check valves 59 and 60, identical with the corresponding parts in Fig. 2. The windshield wiper mechanism is also identical with that in Fig. 2.

Conduits 55 and 56 and chambers 16 and 82 are I filled with a suitable liquid which serves as a non-compressible medium for transmitting the pulsations produced in diaphragm 12 by the pulsator to fuel pumping diaphragms I1 and windshield wiper piston 44. A third diaphragm may be inserted in connection 55 adjacent cylinder 43, if desired. The diaphragms are particularly desirable in a closed liquid system as shown, but one or more of these may be used with the air of gaseous system shown in Fig. 2 in order to prevent escape of the transmitting fluid. For instance, a diaphragm may be advantageously mounted in chamber 58 to prevent fuel vapors from being drawn into the pulsator mechanism.

The invention may be embodied in other forms than those shown, as will occur to those skilled in the art, and the exclusive use of all such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

I claim:

1. In a device of theclass described, a variable speed driving shaft, a device including a reciprocating member, mechanism for intermittently gripping said shaft to effect operation of said member in one direction only, means for disengaging said gripping mechanism at a selected point in the movement of said member, spring means for effecting the return stroke of said member independently of said shaft and at substantially uniform rate when said gripping means is disengaged, and means controlled by said member at the end of its stroke for reengaging said gripping mechanism."

2. In a device of the class described, a variable speed driving shaft, a device including a reciprocating member, structure for operating said member from said shaft comprising flexible gripping means extending around said shaft and having free ends and linkage connecting said mem ber with said free ends, spring means for operating said member, and stop means adjacent said structure for engaging the same at the end of the stroke of said member to draw said jaws tightly against said shaft for effecting movement of said member by said shaft and to separate said jaws to permit the return stroke of said member under the influence of said spring means.

3. In combination, a driving shaft, a reciprocating member, mechanism connecting said member to said shaftto intermittently effect movement of said member in one direction, means for effecting a complete return stroke of said member, and means engagingsaid connecting mechanism at a predetermined point in its movement for delaying the start of said return stroke during continued operation of said shaft.

4. In combination, a driving shaft, a reciprocable member, mechanism connecting said reciprocable member to said shaft to intermittently effect movement of said reciprocable member in one direction, means for effecting a complete reurn stroke of said reciprocable member regardless of the speed of rotation of said shaft, and

means for engaging said connecting mechanism for delaying the start of said return stroke during continued operation of said shaft.

5. In a device of the class described, a driving shaft, a reciprocating member, means including clutch mechanism for intermittently gripping said shaft to operate said member in one direction, independent means for operating said member in the opposite direction, said clutch mechanism having a notched part, and a detent element for yieldingly engaging said notched part at one end of the member stroke for delaying the return stroke of said member. I

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a driving member which is operated at a variable speed, a device which is adapted to be operated in cycles at a limited rate of speed per cycle, energy storing means, means operated by said driving member for storing energy in said means,

said device being operated through at least a portion of its cycle by energy from said energy storing means, and means operated by said device and dependent on a predetermined action of said energy storing means and substantially independ ent of the position of the driving member for connecting said energy storing means to said member.

7. In combination, a driving shaft, a driven member, connecting means between said shaft and member including jaws extending around said shaft and toggle mechanism arranged to cause said jaws to selectively grip and disengage said shaft, stop elements adjacent said shaft for engaging said toggle mechanism at selected points during the movement of said shaft to cause said jaws to selectively grip and disengage said shaft, and means for operating said driven member during the interval between disengagement and regripping of said driving shaft by said jaws.

8. In a device of the class described, a variable speed driving shaft, a device adapted to be driven at a limited speed, engageable and disengageable mechanism for connecting said shaft with said device, means dependent on the movement of said mechanism to a predetermined position for disengaging it from said shaft, means engaging said mechanism for causing a predetermined delay in the movement of same to a second predetermined position, and means for reengaging said mechanism with said shaft when the mechanism reaches said second predetermined position.

, 9. In a device of the class described, a drivin member which is operated in a single direction at a variable speed, a second member mounted for to and fro movement at a speed more nearly constant than the speed of the driving member and constructed and arranged to operate in complete cycles regardless of the rate of movement oi said driving member, means for intermittently connecting the second member to said driving member regardless of the position or said driving member to operate same through one of its movements, and means for disengaging said second member from said driving member at a predetermined point in the movement of the second member.

10. In combination with a variable speed driving member a device having a normal position and adapted to have movement to and from said normal position, means for connecting said device to said variable speed driving member to cause movement or said device from said normal position, means operable upon movement or said device to a predetermined position for releasing said connection, means for returning said device to its normal position independent or the variable speed'driving member, said means for connecting said device to said variable speed driving member being constructed and arranged for operation upon return of said device to its normal position regardless of the position of said drivin: member.

11. In a device or the class described, a variable speed driving shaft, 2. device including a reciprocating member, mechanism for intermittently gripping said shaft to en'ect operation oi! said member in one direction only, means for disengaging said gripping mechanism at a selected point in the movement of said member, means for effecting the return stroke 01' said member independently 01 said shaft and at substantially uniform rate when said gripping means is disengaged, and means controlled by said member at the end or its stroke for reengaging said ip- D1118 mechanism.

GEORGE R. ERICSON. 

